Family Holiday to USA - Follow in the footsteps of Dinosaurs around the Canyonlands of the Mid-West!

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Take the family on a holiday of discovery around the national parks of Utah where you will trace the history of the dinosaurs that once roamed this land. From footprints to full-size replicas, there are stories of dinosaurs all around you!

Zion, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Whether you’re travelling with your children who are a dinosaur enthusiasts or you yourself have a passion for this era in natural history, we can tailor make any fly drive in this region to your requirements.  The national parks on this route include Zion, Canyonlands and Arches and offer plenty of hiking opportunities and of course, stunning scenery. 

Family holidays to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City

We recommend extending your holiday for a night or two in Las Vegas, perhaps catching one of the stunning Cirque de Soleil shows which you and your family are sure to enjoy or shopping in the outlet stores before the flight home.

Day 1 Travel to Salt Lake City Fly to Salt Lake City, collect your car, drive approximately 15 minutes to your downtown hotel. Accommodation: Grand America Hotel Hotel

Day 2 Explore the Natural Museum of Utah & the Dinosaur Park This morning visit the Natural Museum of Utah set on the grounds of the University of Utah. There are 10 permanent exhibitions including 'Past Worlds' which traces back 500 million years and has 30 skeletal reconstructions. These include the only display in the world of the 14 Certaopsian (horned) dinosaur skulls. In the afternoon, drive approximately 45 minutes north of the city to Ogden where there are 125 life-size sculptures in the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park. At every turn in this fun park see an impressive sculpture, and in particular dinosaurs that specifically roamed Utah such as the Cetaratosaurus. Elsewhere in Salt Lake City, soak up the atmosphere with a visit to the Historic Temple Square, a top attraction in Utah, owned by the Mormon Church. In the evening, there are many restaurants around the downtown area of the city to choose from. Accommodation: Grand America Hotel Hotel 

Day 3 The Museum of Ancient Life Located only 30 minutes from the city, drive to The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point, where there are 60 complete dinosaur skeletons to view as well as plenty of opportunities for your children to participate in interactive exhibitions. See the palaeontology lab where doctors might be discovering bones at that moment. Accommodation: Grand America Hotel

Day 4 Day 4 Dinosaur National Monument & Utah Field House of Natural History (175 miles & 227 miles) The highlight of today is a visit to the Dinosaur National Monument by Vernal. It is a truly unique and must-see park where it is possible to view and touch over a thousand bones in the cliff face. Walk the fossil discovery trail enjoying views of the Petroglyphs, Green River and Split Mountain. In the afternoon you might wish to visit the Utah Field House of Natural History, marvel up at the 90 foot model of Diplodocus, or drive a couple of hours onto Moab. En route from Vernal to Moab, if time, dinosaur eggs can be seen in the Prehistoric Museum of Price. Alternatively, travel into a deserted area, the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry where you’ll discover the world’s largest concentration of Jurassic bones – there are over 12,000! Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge 

Day 5 Arches & Canyonlands National Parks Spend the day enjoying the treasures of Utah, Moab is a fantastic centre for outdoor activity and also the gateway town of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. These parks offer ample hiking and photo opportunities. Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge Hotel 

Day 6 Moab's Attractions There are still plenty of dinosaur attractions in Moab including self-guided walking tours such as the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail and Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackway. New to the area is the Moab Giants, a dinosaur museum with hiking trail. Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge Hotel 

Day 7 Dinosaur Museum of Blanding (146 miles) Leaving Moab today, travel to the area of Blanding home to another Dinosaur Museum with sculptures of dinosaurs, eggs and footprints. Leaving Blanding, it would be a great shame to miss out on a visit to Monument Valley. This famous scenery has been used frequently in western and Hollywood films and is a great stop for a night. Accommodation: Goulding's Lodge - Monument Valley

Day 8 Lake Powell & Antelope Canyon (126 miles) Journey onto Lake Powell for a guided excursion into Antelope Canyon, a stunning slot canyon on the borders of both Utah and Arizona. If time, visit the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, some of the dinosaur finds are now available to view at the Natural Museum of Utah which you will have seen during the first days of your visit. Spend the night in Lake Powell, where we recommend dining at the Rainbow Room of the Lake Powell Resort & Marina. Accommodation: Lake Powell Resort & Marina Hotel 

Day 9 Zion National Park (114 miles) The final national park of the trip is Zion National Park where there are many beautiful walks passing small springs, waterfalls and greenery. Hiking the Narrows is not for the faint-hearted and be sure to rent some waterproof gear for this, as you may well need it!

Day 10 Dinosaur Discovery Site & Las Vegas (270 miles) Your final dinosaur treat is the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson’s Farm where there are 2,000 preserved tracks. This can be visited en route from Springdale (Zion) and Las Vegas, where you might wish to extend your holiday.